In the mid-80s the League adopted a mental health position that states:
The League supports a comprehensive and coordinated system
of treatment and rehabilitation services for mentally ill adults
and children. There should be adequate funding, planning, program
standards, and personnel training requirements for both state facilities
and community programs. The League supports a broad array of adequate
and accessible community services. Although primary responsibility
should rest with the state, funding from local, federal, and non-governmental
sources should be encouraged. A system of local boards to levy taxes,
administer all funds, and to plan and coordinate services should
be required throughout the state. The State should require local
governments to provide in their zoning ordinances for residential
programs for mentally ill persons.
Since that time the League has participated with other organizations
who share the same goals that there should be adequate funding
and planning with a broad array of adequate and accessible services
for persons with serious mental illnesses. (See complete
position at Where
We Stand).
One of the jobs of the LWVIL MH issue specialist is to send
action alerts which address the concerns based on the League's MH
position to grassroots advocates who wish to contact their
elected officials regarding current legislation.
The issue specialist also acts as a liaison for state leagues that have questions or need information on taking
action based on the state's position at the local level.
Recently, the Leagues in Kane County (Elgin Area, Carpentersville
Dundee Area, Geneva-St. Charles and Batavia) conducted a Kane
County Mental Illness/Developmental Disability Study. A
consensus meeting is planned for November 7, 2007, and the public
and other league members are welcome to attend. More information
is available at www.lwvgenstc.org/MHDD_study.html
If you are interested in sharing what your league is doing in this area, or if you want to do your own study and need help,
please contact the MH issue specialist at mentalhealth@lwvil.org. We want to hear from you!
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